Vlaggetjesdag – New Herring – Scheveningen

Todays images are of the ‘Vlaggetjesdag’ event at Scheveningen Harbour. Each year ‘Vlaggetjesdag’ celebrates the ‘Nieuw Haring’, the seasons first herring.

The tradition of eating raw herring in the Netherlands goes back several hundred years when salted herring was originally developed.

The familiar tradition of the fishing boats raising their flags and pennants (vlaggetjes) to celebrate the first herring goes back to the 18th century. ‘Vlaggetjesdag’ was officially celebrated for the first time in 1947.

Todays photographs were taken on the 11th June 2011. Images of ‘Vlaggetjesdag’ are available for sale.